________________
20
LIFE ON THE MARGANUSARI PATH (THE APPROACH ROAD TO THE PATH OF SALVATION)
The path of moksha means the full endeavours relating to the attainment of Samyag darshan, Samyag jnan, Samyag charitra and Tapas (austerities).
The kind of life that proceeds towards that path; and all those things that help us to lead such a life constitute the Marganusari life.
Thirty five qualities of the Marganusari have been mentioned in the shastras. Here, we have classified them into four divisions so that they can be easily remembered: (1) The 11 duties to be carried out in life; (2) The 8 derogations that ought to be discarded; (3) The 8 virtues that are to be cultivated and the 8 endeavours to be carried out with caution.
I. THE TWELVE DUTIES:
1) Lawfulness;
2) Proper expenditure;
3) Proper dress and decorations;
4) Proper marriage;
5) A proper house;
6) Discarding food at the time of indigestion;
7) Eating at proper times the food that is Satvik (which does not provoke the passions);
8) Adoring one's father and mother;
9) Taking care of the dependents;
10) Rendering service to guests, sadhus etc.;
11) Rendering service to the worthy i.e. the enlightened ones and the noble ones;
II. THE EIGHT DEROGATIONS THAT OUGHT TO BE DISCARDED:
1) Discarding the habit of calumniating others; 2) Discarding despicable activities;
3) Discarding the slavery to the senses;
4) Destroying the inner enemies;
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
